300: HD DVD edition - Best hidef disc, period? A review. - DVDfile.com forum for DVD, Blu-Ray, and HD-DVD

Ruined · 07-21-2007, 04:37 PM

http://dvd.ign.com/articles/807/807121p1.html

Perfect 10s across the board!

Quote:

Originally Posted by IGN on the HD DVD-exclusive PiP

The picture-in-picture commentary is a ridiculously entertaining and informative addition, highlighting not only Snyder's dynamic, easy-going personality but everything and anything audiences may have wanted to know about the film's production. With a second, smaller screen in the bottom-left corner matched shot-for-shot with the theatrical release, viewers can see the green-screen, blue-screen, warts-and-all reference shots compared against their fully-produced end products. The Film-School-101, special-effects master class value is both remarkable and completely accessible as Snyder walks us through the arduous, painstaking process of creating an effects-heavy film with an impressive charisma and a well-delivered lesson plan. And the dual-picture accompaniment is a welcome, educational visual aid.

Sehnzeleid · 07-21-2007, 05:07 PM

Waiting for the BDers to downplay the coolness for the PIP feature.

My copy should be here early next week.

dugpa · 07-21-2007, 06:21 PM

I was in Circuit City this morning and they were actually playing this in their HD-DVD display. Didn't look all that great to me honestly, but based on what the other displays in the store looked like, I doubt they had it calibrated properly, as pretty much everything in the store looked like crap.

bembol · 07-21-2007, 10:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sehnzeleid

Waiting for the BDers to downplay the coolness for the PIP feature.

My copy should be here early next week.

Is this the first from ign? Can't wait!

Derb · 07-22-2007, 03:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sehnzeleid

Waiting for the BDers to downplay the coolness for the PIP feature.

My copy should be here early next week.

Easy.

All PIP windows are 480p & All audio from the streams suck!

Iguana Man · 07-22-2007, 01:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Derb

Easy.

All PIP windows are 480p & All audio from the streams suck!

Looks like the green tongued smiley is gonna get a lotta use in a certain someones threads. Ha! Oh wait....

Now honestly Derb, given the size of the window (I assume it's very small even on large sets) and that it's commentary, is more than what's offered neccessary? Seriously.

EDITED: What is "warts-and-all" mean?

snipsnapsappy · 07-22-2007, 07:16 PM

I ordered both the BD and HD from Amazon, with plans to cancel one when I get the final verdict. I want the features of the HD, but I still don't trust HD-DVD discs because of their penchant to lock up and/or skip. I also do not like combos. I like disc art and I like spending $5 less.

Ugh. Decisions...

supercutz · 07-22-2007, 08:13 PM

There's really nothing to comment on the BR version of 300 until there's an actual review.

Ruined · 07-22-2007, 08:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by supercutz

There's really nothing to comment on the BR version of 300 until there's an actual review.

Its a Warner title - the BD version will have identical A/V but will lack some of the extras of the HD DVD version (like the one quoted above) and also will not have the DVD version included.

Quote:

Originally Posted by snipsnapsappy

I still don't trust HD-DVD discs because of their penchant to lock up and/or skip

Assuming you have the latest firmware installed, it sounds like your HD DVD player needs to be sent for repair. Though with the HD-A2 at $220 on Amazon, it would probably be better to eBay your HD-A1 and upgrade.

Derb · 07-22-2007, 09:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by snipsnapsappy

I want the features of the HD, but I still don't trust HD-DVD discs because of their penchant to lock up and/or skip. I also do not like combos. I like disc art and I like spending $5 less.

Ugh. Decisions...

That statement alone is why I am swapin my entire HD DVD Paramount collection over to BD. Same with Warner when I have enough coin.

dugpa · 07-22-2007, 11:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Derb

That statement alone is why I am swapin my entire HD DVD Paramount collection over to BD. Same with Warner when I have enough coin.

I've never had problems with a single Paramount title. The aliens are messing with you again.

Derb · 07-23-2007, 02:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dugpa

I've never had problems with a single BD Paramount title. The aliens are messing with you again.

Fixed.

dugpa · 07-23-2007, 03:19 AM

I'm just sayin', there's something fishy going on at the Derb house when it comes to hd-dvd's.

Derb · 07-23-2007, 08:43 AM

Just saying BD's are more reliable & trust worthy + the navigation ie (fast forward, search back, slow etc.) is much more smooth. I know the Sammy was a blocky mess like HD DVD when trying to search forward/backward. Don't know how it is with your standalone or the newer ones.

dugpa · 07-23-2007, 09:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Derb

I know the Sammy was a blocky mess like HD DVD when trying to search forward/backward. Don't know how it is with your standalone or the newer ones.

I've never seen a "blocky mess" fast scanning hd-dvd's on my A1. As for BD, the Sony BDP-S1 doesn't make a blocky mess either when fastforwarding, but it does have the response time of a drunken sailor on shore leave. You press the buttons and a few seconds later it actually does something.

Derb · 07-23-2007, 10:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dugpa

I've never seen a "blocky mess" fast scanning hd-dvd's on my A1. As for BD, the Sony BDP-S1 doesn't make a blocky mess either when fastforwarding, but it does have the response time of a drunken sailor on shore leave. You press the buttons and a few seconds later it actually does something.

Blocky as in the pq jumps a whole lot of frames even in the slowest search speed. Think CAV laserdiscs where each frame is displayed as the player searches forward or backward. Now I know BD nor DVD is as good as CAV but they are a heck of lot better at scanning than HD DVDs.

ganthc · 07-23-2007, 02:30 PM

I still could switch on this, as I have the bd version preordered. I have to weigh whether I need the pip or not, and whether I want to hassle with the combo disc. I hate those things. Since A/V is the same, I usually will lean towards blu-ray, but I want to see what the reviews say about the bd version.

snipsnapsappy · 07-27-2007, 05:27 PM

It is fascinating to me how many HD discs Amazon must sell. CHeck out the top list. 300 has the SD 2-disc version at #1, the BD version at #3, the HD version at #5, and the SD 1-disc at #13.

I don't remember if Amazon is tracked when it comes to sales, but it definitely needs to be.

I wonder how many people are buying the HD version that do not have HD players?

I think no matter what the news stories say, HD discs are entering a saturation that cannot be denied.

Ruined · 07-27-2007, 05:33 PM

I'm impressed also by the gains HD DVD has made recently. Looking at thedvdwars.com, HD DVD looks to have almost equalled salesrank with BD, even passing it briefly. Both formats appear to be kicking butt at Amazon.

Amazon remains THE source for hidef buyers due to their extra 10% promo last year, resulting in 40% off on most discs. In addition to fantastic prices, they are also timely and have an excellent return policy. Why bother shopping B&M when the Amazon experience is so much better?

snipsnapsappy · 07-28-2007, 01:07 AM

I agree, I have bought every one of my next gen discs from Amazon. I even have Amazon prime. Which is why I find it humorous that Amazon and other etailers are not included in the number crunching the tracking firms employ. Sorry to say it, but etailers have to count for at least half of sales.

billnye97 · 07-28-2007, 01:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by snipsnapsappy

I agree, I have bought every one of my next gen discs from Amazon. I even have Amazon prime. Which is why I find it humorous that Amazon and other etailers are not included in the number crunching the tracking firms employ. Sorry to say it, but etailers have to count for at least half of sales.

I would tend to agree. I finally got Amazon Prime and easily its the best, cheapest way to buy hi def discs (blu or HD-dvd). I'm still torn because I have the 360 AO which is hooked up through component while my PS3 is hooked up through HDMI. Any thoughts on which one I should get. Will the quality be different seeing that I hook up through component for the HD AO while HDMI for my PS3.

Derb · 07-28-2007, 04:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ruined

Amazon remains THE source for hidef buyers due to their extra 10% promo last year, resulting in 40% off on most discs. In addition to fantastic prices, they are also timely and have an excellent return policy. Why bother shopping B&M when the Amazon experience is so much better?

Yeah that was nice while it lasted.

Time to go find another HD outlet.

dugpa · 07-28-2007, 06:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Derb

Yeah that was nice while it lasted.

Time to go find another HD outlet.

If you got in on the deal way back at the start (around the time of the HD-DVD launch) by buying three (or was it two, I forget now) HD titles, you still get the extra 10% off. They extended it another year so I'll still be getting 10% off both format discs until May of next year. Between that and Amazon's already low price for HD discs, I rarely buy anywhere else. I've picked up some blu-ray discs at Fry's $12.50 sales, but that's about it.

Pirate · 07-28-2007, 06:57 AM

Yeah, I'm still getting the 10% as well.

Derb · 07-28-2007, 10:24 AM

They must of figured out I am canadian & cut me off.

Dunno why they stopped the 10%
I got to make good on all them DVD upgrades anyway, so off to ballbuster soon.

187ontheVHS · 07-28-2007, 10:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Derb

They must of figured out I am canadian & cut me off.

Dunno why they stopped the 10%
I got to make good on all them DVD upgrades anyway, so off to ballbuster soon.

I'm in Canada and I still get the 10% with every order too

07-21-2007, 06:21 PM	#3 (permalink)
dugpa Nothing But the Best Join Date: Sep 2004	I was in Circuit City this morning and they were actually playing this in their HD-DVD display. Didn't look all that great to me honestly, but based on what the other displays in the store looked like, I doubt they had it calibrated properly, as pretty much everything in the store looked like crap. __________________ DVD collection LD collection Will rent this sig space for blu-ray discs.

07-22-2007, 07:16 PM	#7 (permalink)
snipsnapsappy Actor Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Shell Beach, CA, USA	I ordered both the BD and HD from Amazon, with plans to cancel one when I get the final verdict. I want the features of the HD, but I still don't trust HD-DVD discs because of their penchant to lock up and/or skip. I also do not like combos. I like disc art and I like spending $5 less. Ugh. Decisions... __________________ I balked, now the proud owner of both formats. I am now bi-partisan. I enjoy what both red and blue have to offer. My Theater MySpace

07-23-2007, 03:19 AM	#13 (permalink)
dugpa Nothing But the Best Join Date: Sep 2004	I'm just sayin', there's something fishy going on at the Derb house when it comes to hd-dvd's. __________________ DVD collection LD collection Will rent this sig space for blu-ray discs.

07-23-2007, 08:43 AM	#14 (permalink)
Derb Actor Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Canada	Just saying BD's are more reliable & trust worthy + the navigation ie (fast forward, search back, slow etc.) is much more smooth. I know the Sammy was a blocky mess like HD DVD when trying to search forward/backward. Don't know how it is with your standalone or the newer ones. __________________ My Blu-ray Collection Time for Blu to go mainstream.

07-23-2007, 02:30 PM	#17 (permalink)
ganthc Actor Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: "Vyenna", VA	I still could switch on this, as I have the bd version preordered. I have to weigh whether I need the pip or not, and whether I want to hassle with the combo disc. I hate those things. Since A/V is the same, I usually will lean towards blu-ray, but I want to see what the reviews say about the bd version. __________________ HOOK'EM!!! UT LONGHORNS - National Champs 2005-2006!!! http://ganthc.youaremighty.com

07-21-2007, 05:07 PM	#2 (permalink)
Sehnzeleid Actor Join Date: Jul 2006	Waiting for the BDers to downplay the coolness for the PIP feature. My copy should be here early next week.

07-22-2007, 08:13 PM	#8 (permalink)
supercutz Actor Join Date: Sep 2004	There's really nothing to comment on the BR version of 300 until there's an actual review.

07-27-2007, 05:27 PM	#18 (permalink)
snipsnapsappy Actor Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Shell Beach, CA, USA	It is fascinating to me how many HD discs Amazon must sell. CHeck out the top list. 300 has the SD 2-disc version at #1, the BD version at #3, the HD version at #5, and the SD 1-disc at #13. I don't remember if Amazon is tracked when it comes to sales, but it definitely needs to be. I wonder how many people are buying the HD version that do not have HD players? I think no matter what the news stories say, HD discs are entering a saturation that cannot be denied. __________________ I balked, now the proud owner of both formats. I am now bi-partisan. I enjoy what both red and blue have to offer. My Theater MySpace

07-27-2007, 05:33 PM	#19 (permalink)
Ruined It's Good to Play Together Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: NJ, USA	I'm impressed also by the gains HD DVD has made recently. Looking at thedvdwars.com, HD DVD looks to have almost equalled salesrank with BD, even passing it briefly. Both formats appear to be kicking butt at Amazon. Amazon remains THE source for hidef buyers due to their extra 10% promo last year, resulting in 40% off on most discs. In addition to fantastic prices, they are also timely and have an excellent return policy. Why bother shopping B&M when the Amazon experience is so much better? __________________ For every shadow, no matter how deep, is threatened by morning light.

07-28-2007, 01:07 AM	#20 (permalink)
snipsnapsappy Actor Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Shell Beach, CA, USA	I agree, I have bought every one of my next gen discs from Amazon. I even have Amazon prime. Which is why I find it humorous that Amazon and other etailers are not included in the number crunching the tracking firms employ. Sorry to say it, but etailers have to count for at least half of sales. __________________ I balked, now the proud owner of both formats. I am now bi-partisan. I enjoy what both red and blue have to offer. My Theater MySpace

07-28-2007, 06:57 AM	#24 (permalink)
Pirate Moderator Emeritus Loves Yellow Subtitles Join Date: Jun 2003	Yeah, I'm still getting the 10% as well. __________________ Early Adopting So You Don’t Have To.

07-28-2007, 10:24 AM	#25 (permalink)
Derb Actor Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Canada	They must of figured out I am canadian & cut me off. Dunno why they stopped the 10% I got to make good on all them DVD upgrades anyway, so off to ballbuster soon. __________________ My Blu-ray Collection Time for Blu to go mainstream.

07-28-2007, 04:13 PM	#27 (permalink)
dugpa Nothing But the Best Join Date: Sep 2004